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A section of the report has detailed the impact of social media, and how it has a ‘central role in the lives of young people’ and that it would be wise to keep abreast of the ‘fast-moving developments’ in the ever-changing platform of social media communications, which is becoming a role in a rising number of youth offences.

It also acknowledges that a ‘generational shift has taken place where young people now live increasingly in an online world that many adults responsible for helping them barely understand.’

The social media codes were listed by an officer in the Youth Offending Team in Waltham Forest, north London, along with guidance on the most popular apps used by young people.

One youth worker told inspectors: “Our young people used to hang around on street corners and parks before committing offences. Now they sit alone in their bedrooms and get into arguments or plan offences on their phones, tablets or computers.”

Dame Glenys Stacey, HM Chief Inspector of Probation, said: “This is new behaviour. Many of these young people shun Facebook and other common applications, in favour of lesser known and, therefore, more private media.

“We found offence scenarios inconceivable just a few years ago, with social media used to both incite and plan crime.”